Terry Goddard Announces 11 Men Indicted in Drug Case

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Jan. 10, 2007) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced the indictment of 11 men on drug-related and money laundering charges.

The case involves a joint investigation with the Phoenix Police Department. During the execution of a search warrant this morning at the home of defendant Adam Mena Angulo, 34, of Phoenix, a Phoenix Police Officer was shot in the hand. Angulo was arrested and booked into Maricopa County Jail.

The men were indicted on Monday, Jan. 7. According to court documents, a 30-day investigation in late 2007 uncovered three transactions involving the sale of 64, 100 and over 200 pounds of marijuana for prices ranging from $400 to $600 per pound. The investigation led to the December 2007 seizure of a truck traveling from Yuma to Tucson carrying more than 200 pounds of marijuana and a large amount of cash.

Only six of the 11 defendants are being named today because five have not yet been served with the indictments.

The defendants include:

Adam Mena Angulo, 34, of Phoenix: Angulo was indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, one count of participating in a criminal syndicate, three counts of transport or offer to transport marijuana for sale, two counts of possession of marijuana for sale, three counts of money laundering and 16 counts of use of wire communication in drug-related transactions. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 37.5 years in prison.

Oscar Chavez, 28, of Mesa: Chavez was indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, one count of participating in a criminal syndicate, one count of sell, transfer or offer to sell or transfer marijuana, one count of transport or offer to transport marijuana for sale, two counts of possession of marijuana for sale, one count of money laundering and seven counts of use of wire communication in drug-related transactions. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 12.5 years in prison.

Jose Juan Angulo, 37, of Phoenix: Angulo was indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, one count of participating in a criminal syndicate, three counts of sell, transfer or offer to sell or transfer marijuana, one count of transport or offer to transport marijuana for sale, three counts of possession of marijuana for sale, three counts of money laundering and 14 counts of use of wire communication in drug-related transactions. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 37.5 years in prison.

Eric Wilson, 39, of Phoenix: Wilson was indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, one count of participating in a criminal syndicate, three counts of transport or offer to transport marijuana for sale, one count of possession of marijuana for sale, three counts of money laundering and five counts of use of wire communication in drug-related transactions. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

Edward Banda Solis, 30, of Phoenix: Solis was indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, one count of participating in a criminal syndicate, one count of transport or offer to transport marijuana for sale, one count of possession of marijuana for sale, one count of money laundering and two counts of use of wire communication in drug-related transactions. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 12.5 years in prison.

Abel Alonzo, 30, of Phoenix: Alonzo was indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, one count of participating in a criminal syndicate, one count of transport or offer to transport marijuana for sale, one count of possession of marijuana for sale and one count of money laundering. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 12.5 years in prison.